Recent studies have shown that older adults can reduce the risk of non-vertebral (non-spinal) bone fractures by as much as 20% and that of hip fractures by up to 18% by taking vitamin D supplements. Although there have been several clinical trials around this possibility in the past, it is only a recent meta-analysis that has provided conclusive evidence of the link. (A meta-analysis is where the results of several studies on a related topic are combined.)
Up until now, a number of factors have hindered acceptable findings, namely: participants not following the required treatment program, the use of a different form of the vitamin (ergocalciferol, or vitamin D2) which is weaker, or the use of doses that are too low to be effective.
The meta-analysis was based on previous studies which had looked at the benefits of oral supplements of the vitamin in adults upwards of 65 years old. There were 12 studies with a total of 42,279 subjects where the average age was 78 years. 40,886 of these were considered specifically for hip fractures. In each case neither the participants nor the researchers were aware...